Pocketbook frame



June E3, 1933. N. KASDAN POCKETBOOK FRAME Filed. Sept. 4, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l \lll. lk.

INVENTOR June 13, 1933.

N. KASDAN POCKETBOOK FRAME Filed Sept. 4, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR a t/ran Kas'dan,

Patented June 13, 1933 sr-Ars PATEN"? FFEQ NATHAN KASDAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

rooKE'rBooK FRAME This invention relates to pocket books and the likeand has for its object to provide a device of this class which is attractive in appearance, easy and quick to operate, capable of securing the pocket book or bag against accidental opening, and better adapted for receiving decorative effects when desired. Another object is to provide a pocket book or bag which is leak proof when closed and which has positive latching means engaging substantially the full length of the bag across thetop. A further object is to provide a latching means for a device of this class which may be readily opened by grasping the bag in one hand and the latching means in the other and pulling the two far enough apart so that the bag frame may open.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 shows this invention applied to a pocket book having the triple frame members.

Fig. 2 is aright end view of the frame of Fig. 1 when in closed position and before the flexible bag material has been inserted in the channel frame members.

Fig. 3 is a'section on the line 5a-5a with the frame members in open position.

Fig. 4 shows a detail of a portion of the frame members in position ready to be opened.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5a-5a of Fig.1.

Fig. 6 shows the invention applied to another type of bag having only two frame members.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7a7a of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail of the device of Fig. 6 showing the limiting means for the latching member.

Fig. 9 illustrates another embodiment of this invention in which the latching frame is.

not slidable but made integral with one of the frame members.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10a10a of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 shows a modified construction in which the latching frame is slidable as in Fig. 6 but is also provided with auxiliary latching means such as is shown in Fig. 9..

In Fig. 1 the bag or pocket book 10 is formed of any suitable and customary flexible material which is secured within channel frame members as is customary. These frame members in the embodiment illustrated comprise two outer frame members 11 and 12 each of which is of channel shaped cross section. A central frame member 13 is also of channel shaped cross section but is inverted with respect to the outer channels in the members 11 and 12. All three frame members are pivotally secured to a common connection 13a and it will be understood the flexible bag material engaged by the central frame member may extend to the bottom of the bag or near thereto as is customary in the art.

In order to secure the channel frame members in closed position a latching frame member 14 is provided and as illustrated this latching frame extends along the side portions of the frame members and also across the top or bridging portions of the frame members. Said latching frame 14 is also of channel shaped cross section and its side portions are of a size to fit over and slide on the side portions of the central frame member 13. Adjacent the top or bridging portion of the latching frame member 14: the width of its channel cross section is expanded enough so that the sides of the latching channel cannot only extend over the central frame member 13 but also enclose the inner sides of the outer channel frame members 11 and 12. In order to prevent this latching member from being slid outwardly too far a stop means is provided which as shown in Fig. 2 comprises a projection or tongue portion 15 bent inwardly to engage an elongated slot 16 in the channel member 13. As illustrated in Figs. .3 and 5 the inner side walls of the channel frame members 11 and 12'are ex tended above the outer walls, the longer walls being indicated at 17 and 18. If desired a handle portion 19 or other convenient gripping projection'may extend above the top or bridging portion of the latching member 14, although it will be understood such handle portion 19 is not necessary where the latching member 1 1 extends far enough above the bag material to provide a convenient gripping portion for the thumb and finger of one hand. In order to hold the bag and frame members while the latching member is being pulled outwardly, said bag may be held conveniently in one hand or if desired a tab 20 may be secnred to the bag material or channel frame member in a convenient position for grasping the tab in opening the bag. \Vith the triple frame construction illustrated in Fig. 1 it will be understood that a second tab 2:) is preferably provided on the opposite side if desired although such is not necessary. The common pivot for the three frame members is indicated at 13.4.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is illustrated a modified construction having only two channel frame members for the bag or pocket book. ,The latching frame 23 is carried by one of the frame members 22 while the other frame member 21 may be engaged or disengaged by the latching member 23 for closing and opening the pocket book or bag. In this embodiment it will be seen from Fig. 7 that both the latching member and the frame .members are of channel shaped cross section. As before, the latching frame 23 is'mounted to slide along the side portions of one frame member. The frame member 22' will be seen to have one of its channel walls in its side portions extended and made longer than the other in order that the latching member may fit over and be guided by such extension 24.

In order to limit the outward sliding movement of the latching member 23 a stamped out projection 25 on the latching member 23 cooperates with an elongated slot 26 in said :;tension 24. If desired the bridging portion of the latching member 23 may be provided with a handle or gripping portion 27 to assist in opening the bag. As shown in Figs. '7 and 8 the side portions of the latching member 23 are of channel shaped cross section and of a width to fit on opposite sides of the extension 24 so that the latching member is guided by such extension. Adjacent the top or bridging portion of the latching member 23 it may be seen from Fig. 7 that the sides of the latching member channel are spread or widened sufficiently so as to be able to enclose the adjacent and higher channel sides of theframe members 21 and 22 along the top or bridging portion of said frame members.

In Figs. 9 and 10 is shown a modified construction in which the frame 31 is of the general shape and appearance of the frame in Fig. 6, except that in Figs. 9 and 10 the frame 31 is fixed and instead'of being slidable is made integral with one of the frame members. Theopposite or movable side frame member 30 is provided with projections 32 extending upwardly from the inner wall of the channel frame. Said member 31 has a portion of its channel wall recessed at 33 to provide for the reception of the projections 32 within said recesses. To retain the movable side frame member in closed position some customary form of latching member 34 may be provided and mounted at 35 to the frame 31 for pivotal movement.

All of the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 6 to 11 inclusive have both side frame members pivotally secured together as illustrated at 21a in Fig. 6.

In Fig. 11 is illustrated a further embodiment of this invention in which the latching frame 36 is made slidable as in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive for the purpose of clearing the high sides 38 of the channel frame members 37. That is when the latching frame is in closed position the upwardly extending portions of the innerchannel walls of the frame members are gripped or engaged by the latching member 36 to prevent the pocket book from opening. In addition the latching member 36 is provided with an auxiliary latching means comprising the members 41 pivoted at 42 to the latching frame 36 and adapted when in lowered position to retain the projecting portions 39 of the channel sides 38 against opening. I In order to receive the projections 39 one channel wall of the frame 36 is recessed or cut away at the portions 40.

If desired the frame members of each modification may be given an outward or opening bias by means of a spring coiled about the pivots of the frame members or in other ways well known in the art. Other types of limiting means may be provided beside the proed by the side portions of the frame member I;

on which it is carried. If the side portions of the latching member do not enclose a portion of the frame member on which it is carried or if such portions of the latching member are not of channel shape cross'section then it may be desirable to use two pin and slot connections for each side portion of the latching member. Ordinarily a'pocket book or hand bag of the type illustrated is not provided with a flexible carrying strap or chain since these pocket books are generally carried in the hand. However, where 1t is desired to carry such bags by a strap,

eyelets may be provided on the side portions of one of the frame members, frame member on which the latching frame is carried, and such eyelets should project through elongated slots in the side portions of the latching member. In this way there is preferably the no upward thrust put upon the latching I:

closed.

member which might tend to accidentally open the bag. The gripping tabs 20 and 20?) may or may not be used. lVhere the pocket book or bag is of a size that is too large tobe conveniently held in the palm of the hand between the thumb and fingers then such tabs will be of assistance in opening the bag, and of course if desired these tabs may be used on the smaller size bags.

Among the advantages of this invention may be mentioned that the present invention provides practically leak proof bag frame with the latching member spanning the slit or opening between the frame members when Also the latching frame member provides a positive fastening means for the frames which is especially strong since such fastening extends across substantially the full length of the top or bridging portion of the pocket book. Another desirable feature resides in the increased facility with which the bags of this. invention may be opened by a simple outward pull on the latching member causing it to slide far enough for the frame members to be opened.

lVhile the bag is open the latching member is preferably held in its raised or outward position by friction so that on closing the bag it is only necessary to slide the latching frame member inward a short distance to have it engage and latch or lock the frame members against opening. lVith pocket book frames of the sort illustrated, the leather or other flexible bag material used covers all portions of the frames of the bag when closed except the latching frame member and this comparatively narrow member is the only portion which is exposed. The result is a neat appearing construction of a distinctive characterlVhere more or less elaborate decorations are resorted to for the portions or metal parts of the frame which are exposed, it may be seen that the pocket book frames of this invention are admirably adapted for such decorative effects because the exposed metal parts are a single and integral member, namely the latching frame member. It is much easier to decorate a single member than it is two members which are relatively movable as are the ordinary bag side frame members.

In the appended claims the term pocket book is used in a broad sense to cover not only bags of a size commonly used as pocket books but also bags of any size, such as travelling bags and the like.

I claim:

1. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members having side and bridging portions pivotally secured at their side portions, a latching member for retain-i ing said frame members in closed position and shaped to slide along the side portions of at least one frame member and to: extend between said side portions and to engage opposite lateral surfaces on the bridging portion of at least two frame members for latching said frame members against opening, the frame member along which said latching member is slidable being provided with means to limit the outward travel of said latching member away from the frame member pivotal portion, and the same frame member also being provided with guide means for the latching member which guide means is inside of and enclosed by the side portions of said latching member, flexible bag material secured to said frame members and a tab secured adjacent to the bridging portion of a frame member on which the latching member does not slide whereby the bag is opened by grasping said tab in one hand and the bridging portion of the latching member'in the other and pulling them in opposite directions thereby sliding said latching member outward until the outer surface of the frame member bridging portion has been cleared by the inner edge of the bridging portion of said latching member.

2. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members having side and bridging portions pivotally secured at their side portions, a latching member for retaining said frame members in closed position and shaped to slide along the side portions of at least one frame member and to extend between said side portions and to engage op posite lateral surfaces on the bridging por tion of at least two frame members for latching said frame members against open ing, the frame member along which said latching member is slidable being provided with means to limit the outward travel of said latching member away from the frame member pivotal portion, and the same frame member also constituting a. guide means for the latching member which guide means is enclosed' by the latching member, flexible bag material secured to said frame members and a tab secured adjacent to the bridging portion of a frame member on which the latching member does not slide, whereby the bag is opened by grasping said tab in one hand and the bridging portion of the latching member in the other and pulling them in opposite directions thereby sliding said latching member outward until the outer surface of the frame member bridging p0rtion has been cleared by the inner edge of the bridging portion of said latching member, said latching member being provided with a gripping portion projecting beyond its bridging portion, and said latching mem-. ber engagin said opposite lateral surfaces along the major portion of the length of the frame member bridging portions, the closing of said frame members being effected while said latching member is held far enough away from said frame member pivotal portion to allow said frame members to close.

3. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members having side and bridging portions pivotally secured at their sideportions, a latching member for retaining said frame members in closed position and shaped to slide along the-side portions of at least one frame member and to extend between said side portions and to engage op posite lateral surfaces on the bridging portion of at least two frame members for latching said frame members against opening, the frame member along which said latching member is slidable being provided with means to limit the outward travel of said latching member away from the frame member pivotalportion, and the same frame member also'constituting a guide means for the latching member which guide means enclosed by the latching member, flexible bag material secured to said frame members and a tab secured adjacent to the bridging portion of a frame member on. which the latching member does not slide, whereby the bag is opened by grasping said tab in one hand and the bridging portion of the latching member in'the other and pulling them' in opposite directions thereby sliding said latching member outward until the outer surface of the frame member bridging portion has been cleared by the inner edge of the bridging portion of said latching member, and an'auxiliary latching member carried by and movable relatively to the bridging portion of said latching member.

4. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members each having side and bridging portions of channel shaped cross section pivotally secured at their side portions, a. latching member for retaining said frame members in closed position and being of generally channel shaped cross section andarranged to slide along the side portions of at least one frame member and. to extend between said side por ions and to engage opposite lateral surfaces on the bridging portion of at least two frame mem-' bers for latching said frame members against opening, the frame member along which said latching member is slidable being provided with means to limit the outward travel of said latching member away from said pivotal portion and the same frame member also constituting a guide means which is received within and enclosed by said latching member, flexible bag material secured to said frame members, said bag being opened by pulling the bridging portion of the latching member outward from the bridging portions of the frame members far enough to clear said frame members and enable at least one of them to be swung open. the portion of said latching member which extends along said bridging of said frame member and its frame member 5. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members having side and bridging portions and pivotally secured together,said two frame members being each of channel shaped cross sec? ion with the open side of the channel extending away from the pivotal portion, the adjacent channel sides on the bridging portion of said two frame members being longer than the other or outer channel sides of the same frame members, another member of channel shaped cross section which is inverted with respect to the channel in the frame members and which is slidable along a side portion of a frame member and adapted to bridge and engage opposite lateral surfaces on said longer and adjacent channel sides of theframe members, said inverted channel member being constructed to release at least one of said frame members for opening the bag or pocket book.

6'. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members having side and bridging portions and pivotally secured together, said two frame members being each of channel shaped cross section with the open side of the channel extending away from the pivotal portion, the adjacent channelsides on the bridging portion of said two frame members being longer than the other or outer channel side of the same frame members, another member of channel shaped cross section which is inverted with respect to the channel in the frame members and which is adapted to bridge and engage opposite lateral surfaces on said longer and adjacent channel sides of the frame members, said inverted channel member being constructed to release at least one of said frame members for opening the bag or pocket book, said inverted channel member functioning as a latching member and being slidable along the sides of at least one frame member and means cooperating with the sides of the latching for limiting outward movement of the latching member away from the pivotal portion of said frame members to release a frame member and open thepocket book.

7. Apocket book or the'like comprising at least three frame members each having side and bridging portions pivotally secured at their side portions, a latching member for retaining said frame members in closed position, and mounted to slide along the side portions of the central frame member and shaped to engage opposite lateral surfaces on the bridging portion of the two outer frame members for'latchin'g said frame members against opening, said central frame member being provided with means to limit the outward movement of said latching member, said latching member being of channel shaped cross section with its side portions enclosing the side portions of said central frame member while the top or bridging portion of said latching member is of greater Width than its side portions in order to engage the adjacent sides of the outer frame members and hold them against the central frame member.

8. A pocket book or the like having at least two side frame members pivotally secured together, a latching frame member slidably secured to one of said side frame members and shaped to positively engage said side frame members when in closed position, said pocket book being opened by grasping the top or bridging portion of said latching member and pulling the same outwardly away from said frame members, said latching member being frictionally held in its open position until the pocket book is ready for closure, and said latching member when in closed position engaging the major portion of the top or bridging portion of the frame members along opposite surfaces for positively holding said frame members closed.

9. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members each having side and bridging portions of channel shaped cross section pivotally secured at their side portions, a latching member for retaining said frame members in closed position and being of generally channel shaped cross section and arranged to slide along the side portions of at least one frame member and to extend between said side portions and to engage opposite lateral surfaces on the bridge ing portion of at least two frame members for latching said frame members against opening, the frame member along which said latching member is slidable being provided with means to limit the outward travel of a said latching member away from said pivotal portlon and the latchlng member being.

guided along the sides of the same frame member, flexible bag material secured to said frame members, said bag being opened by pulling the bridging portion of the latching member outward to enable at least one of the frame members to be swung open.

10. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members each having a bridging and side portions, a latching member also having sides and a bridging portion, its side portions being slidable along the side portions of one frame member for releasing or latching said frame members from and to the bridging portion of said latching member, means for limiting outward travel of said latching member, said latching member being slidable along and bearing on at least two surfaces on each side portion of the frame member on which it moves.

11. A pocket book or the like comprising at lejast two frame members each having a bridging and side portions, a latching member also having sides and a bridging portion, its side portions being slidable along the side portions of one frame member for releasing or latching said frame members from and to the bridging portion of said latching member, means for limiting outward travel ofsaid latching member, the bridging portion of said latching member when in closed position engaging opposite sides of said two frame members along substantially the major portion of the length of the bridging portion of said frame members.

12. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members each having a bridging and side portions, a latching member also having sides and a bridging portion, its side portions being slidable along the side portions of one frame member for releasing or latching said frame members from and to the bridging portion of said latching member, means for limiting outward travel of said latching member, the bridging portion of said latching member when in closed position engaging opposite sides of said t vo frame members along substantially the major portion of the length of the bridging portion of said frame members, said latching member being slidable along and bearing on at least two surfaces on each side portion of the frame member on which it moves.

13. A pocket bookor the like comprising at least two frame members each having a bridging and side portions, a latching member also having sides and a bridging portion, its side portions being slidable along the side portions of one frame member for releasing or latching said frame members from and to the bridging portion of said latching member, means for limiting outward travel of said latching member, said limiting means comprising a projection and cooperating elongated slot one of which is carried by a side portion of the latching member and the other by the contiguous and main side body portion of said frame member along which said latching member moves, said projection ex; tending in the general direction of the plane of the said latching member.

14. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members each having a bridging and side portions, a latching member also having sides and a bridging portion, its side portions being slidable along the side portions of one frame member for releasing or latching said frame members from and to the bridging portion of said latching member, means for limiting outward travel of said latching member, the bridging portion of said latching member when in closed position engaging opposite sides of said two frame members along substantially the major portion of the length of the bridging portion of said frame members, said latching member being slidable along and bearing on at least two surfaces on each side portion of the frame member on which it moves, said latching member havinga gripplng portion projecting therefrom in a direction such that the release of a frame member will not be impeded for opening the pocket book.

15. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members each of which includes a bridging portion connecting side portions, the bridging portion of each frame member being of channel shaped cross section with the open sides of said channel fac ing outwardly and said frame members being pivotally secured at their side portions, a latching frame member slidable inwardly and outwardly adjacent the side portions of said frame members and having a bridging portion of channel shaped cross section inverted with respect to the frame member bridging portions, at least one of said frame members being pivotally mounted with respect to said latching member for opening and closing the pocket book, and said latching member bridging portion being slidable down over at least one channel side of said bridging portion of the pivotal frame members to hold said frame members against opening.

16. A pocket book or the like comprising at least two frame members each of which includes a bridging portion and side portions connected by said bridging portion,a pivotal connection for the frame members adjacent their side portions, a latching member slidable inwardly and outwardly adjacent a side portion of a frame member and having a portion of inverted channel shaped cross section which is adapted to fit over and engage the outer surfaces of at least portions of both frame members to hold them together in position with the pocket book closed when said latching member is moved inward toward said pivotal connection, and said latching member also being constructed to release said frame members for opening the pocket book on outward movement thereof away from said pivotal connection.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 3rd day of September A. 1)., 1931.

NATHAN KASDAN. 

